System to purchase state lottery ticket

ABSTRACT

A method to purchase and print a lottery ticket comprising downloading over the Internet a mobile phone application to a mobile phone and using the mobile phone, the mobile phone application, and a third party controller to purchase a ticket for a governmental lottery game.

This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/571,969 filed Jul. 8, 2011.

This invention relates to systems to purchase lottery tickets.

The demographics of games of chance indicate that a disproportionate share of individuals that play games of chance have limited income. Since the very large majority of individuals playing a game of chance do not win, their participation damages them economically.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the instant invention to provide an improved system for conducting a game of chance.

This and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a mobile phone showing the display screen and illustrating a preliminary screen display produced by a special lottery computer program contained in the computer system in the phone;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a mobile phone showing the display screen and illustrating a screen display produced by the special lottery computer program subsequent to the display of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a mobile phone showing the display screen and illustrating a screen display produced by the special lottery computer program subsequent to the display of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a mobile phone showing the display screen and illustrating a display produced by the special lottery computer program subsequent to the display of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a mobile phone showing the display screen and illustrating a display produced by the special lottery computer program subsequent to the display of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a system constructed in accordance with the invention to purchase a lottery ticket;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating computer sub-routines and kinds of data in the memory utilized in the system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a block flow diagram illustrating a method conducted in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram continued from the block diagram of FIG. 8 and illustrating a method conducted in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 10 is a block flow diagram continued from the block diagram of FIG. 9 and illustrating a method conducted in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, provided is an improved method. The method comprises the step of providing a 3^(rd) party controller. The controller is capable of communicating over the Internet; communicating over the Internet with at least one government controller utilized in the operation of a lottery game; selling and confirming the sale of lottery tickets for at least one governmental lottery game; billing credit card accounts; electronically depositing in bank accounts monies received by billing credit card accounts; outputting information to print lottery tickets; outputting available governmental lottery games; and, outputting historical data of past completed lottery games. The method also includes the steps of providing a hand-held mobile computer capable of communicating over the Internet; creating for the hand-held mobile computer a special lottery computer program capable of communicating over the Internet with the 3^(rd) party controller; placing the special lottery computer program in an Internet accessible store; downloading over the Internet the special lottery computer program onto the hand-held mobile computer; viewing, using the hand-held mobile computer and the special lottery computer program, special listing information from the 3^(rd) party controller setting forth available governmental lottery games; selecting, using the hand-held mobile computer, one of the available governmental lottery games; transmitting, using the hand-held mobile computer, to the 3^(rd) party controller a request to purchase a lottery ticket in the selected one of the available governmental lottery games; receiving from the 3^(rd) party controller a confirmation of the purchase of the lottery ticket; billing a credit card account to receive the amount of a purchase price for the lottery ticket; electronically depositing, using the third party controller, a first portion of the purchase price in a 3^(rd) party controller bank account; electronically depositing, using the third party controller, a second portion of the purchase price in a government lottery bank account; receiving from the 3^(rd) party controller ticket data to print the ticket; printing the ticket; and, outputting, with the 3^(rd) party controller, to the governmental lottery controller via the Internet information corresponding to the lottery ticket. The mobile hand-held computers can each comprise an iPhone.

Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating the practice thereof and not by way of limitation of the scope of the invention and in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 6 illustrates a system for conducting a lottery game. One important feature of the system of the invention, which was discovered during development of the invention, is that it limits participation in a lottery game to individuals in higher income brackets. This is the case because the system utilizes iPhones™ and other similar cellular phones which have both the capability of utilizing the Internet and of downloading computer applications from iTunes or other comparable on line stores. Such cell phones, along with the monthly charges for operating the phones, are relatively expensive and are owned by only a portion of the population that owns cell phones in general.

Another important feature of the system of the invention is that it expands the market for lottery games. As noted, the majority of lottery game players now consists of individuals with limited income. The system of the invention attracts individuals in higher income brackets, individuals who normally experience no significant economic harm in the event their lottery ticket does not win.

A further important feature and requirement of the system of the invention is that an iPhone “app” or similar application for a competing cell phone is required in the practice of the invention and must be created and marketed for sale on the Internet and for installation on iPhones or similar cellular phones.

Another important feature and requirement of the system of the invention is that a third party controller must be provided to interface via the Internet between an iPhone (or comparable cell phone) and a governmental lottery system. The third party controller must be capable of performing a variety functions which are described below in more detail.

Still a further important feature and requirement of the system is that an iPhone (or similar cell phone) must have the capability of purchasing a ticket using a special application that is developed for the iPhone and that can communicate via the Internet with the third party controller.

Still another important feature and requirement of the system is that an iPhone (or similar cell phone) must have the capability of providing the cell phone owner with historical data concerning past completed lottery games. The cell phone owner (or lessee) can utilize this data in deciding which lottery game to play, which lottery numbers to select, etc.

The lottery game system of FIG. 6 includes a lottery computer application or “app” 40 specially created to be (1) placed in an Internet store (for example an iTunes store), (2) purchased by the owner (or lessee) of a mobile phone 10, and (3) downloaded by the owner into the mobile phone 10 via the Internet.

The lottery application 40 is configured to communicate via the Internet with a 3^(rd) party lottery controller 45. The controller 45 comprises a computer which includes memory 47 and a lottery game interface program 46 which communicates via the Internet with mobile phone 10 and with a state lottery controller 50. State lottery controller 50 comprises a computer with a memory and with an interface program which communicates via the Internet with the 3^(rd) party lottery controller 45. The state lottery controller 50 is owned and operated by a governmental entity. In the United States this typically comprises a state government such as the government of the state of Arizona, Arkansas, California, etc. but can comprise any desired city, state, county, or federal governmental agency in the United States or other countries.

Among the various functions performed by controller 45 are the ability 43 to send e-mails to users (i.e., to the owners or lessees of iPhones or comparable cellular phones) to confirm the purchase by the users of lottery tickets; the ability to bill 44 the credit card of a user for the purchase of a lottery ticket; the ability to authenticate 44A a user's credit card to identify fraudulent or stolen credit cards; the ability to deposit 49 in an account in the 3^(rd) party's bank a portion of the money received to purchase a lottery ticket; and, the ability to deposit 48 in an account in the state lottery controller's bank a portion of the money received to purchase a lottery ticket.

Possible sub-routines utilized by the lottery game interface program 46 are illustrated in FIG. 7 and include communication sub-routine 54 for communicating with a mobile phone and a state lottery controller; bank deposit sub-routine 55; and, billing sub-routine 56. Sub-routine 54 facilitates the flow of data between 51 3^(rd) party controller 45 and mobile phone 10; and, between 63 3^(rd) party controller 45 and the state lottery controller 50. Sub-routine 54 also facilitate the flow of data between 52 3^(rd) party controller 45 and a user's credit card company; between 53 3^(rd) party controller 45 and the banks of the 3^(rd) party controller and the state lottery controller; between 62 credit authentication entities; and, between any other desired entities.

The billing sub-routine 56 facilitates the receipt of funds from a user's credit card account (including debit accounts and other user accounts which can be used to pay for a lottery ticket) due to the purchase of one or more lottery tickets by the user.

The bank deposit sub-routine facilitates the deposit of funds in bank accounts owned, operated, or overseen by 3^(rd) party controller 46 and state lottery controller 60.

Memory 47 includes ticket data 57, lottery number data 58, user ID data 59, state/3rd party bank account data 60, user credit card data 61, and any other desired data.

Ticket data 57 comprises a bar code or other data which can be printed in the form of a lottery ticket, which can be read by a scanner, or which can otherwise detected to correspond to a lottery ticket purchased by a user (i.e., a mobile phone owner or lessee).

Lottery number data 58 can comprise the winning numbers picked for a particular lottery game, can comprise the numbers selected by a user when purchasing a ticket for a particular lottery game, or can comprise the numbers from which choices can be made by a user for a particular lottery game. For example, a user (i.e., mobile phone owner or lessee) selects a particular lottery game operated by the state of Arizona. The game requires that a player select five (5) numbers from the numbers 1 to 42. These numbers are stored in lottery number data and are, when the user picks that particular game, forwarded to a user's cell phone 10 to appear as a display (in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3) so that the user can select the five (5) numbers necessary to play the game and purchase a lottery ticket.

User ID data 59 can comprise the user's name, e-mail address, physical address, credit card data, purchasing history re lottery games played via the 3^(rd) party controller, finger print data, eye scan data, cell phone Serial No., Internet address, or any other desired utilized to verify the identify of and conduct business with the user.

The state/3rd party bank account data can comprise the account number and password for at least one account owned and operated by the state (Arizona, Arkansas, etc.) that oversees and conducts a lottery game or by the 3^(rd) party that owns, leases, or operates the 3^(rd) party controller, or, can comprise any other desired information.

The user credit card data 61 can comprise the credit card number and other accompanying credit data of a user, and can comprise any other desired information.

By way of example, FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate one possible use on a cell phone like an iPhone™ of a special lottery computer program application, or “app”, 40 that is specially created for at least that particular cell phone and is capable of communicating over the Internet with a 3^(rd) party controller which interfaces between the special lottery computer program and mobile phone and a governmental controller used in the operation of a lottery game. The governmental controller, or computer, includes—as does the 3^(rd) party controller and other computers—sub-routines and a memory sufficient operate a lottery game. Since many states in the United States now operate games of chance, such governmental controllers are well known in the art and are not detailed herein.

The general procedures for purchasing, downloading, and “opening” an iTunes app or comparable application for a comparable hand-held, mobile cell phone are well known and are not repeated herein. When, however, the cell phone is operated to open the special lottery computer program application 40 loaded on phone 10, the display illustrated in FIG. 1 appears on the touch operated screen of phone 40. The display includes touch operated buttons “SELECT STATE” 11, “SELECT GAME” 12, “CURRENT DRAW” 13, “GET TICKET” 14, “HISTORIC DATA” 15, “My Account” 17, “?” 18, “Favorite Numbers” 19, and “Info” 20. Button 16, “HOME”, is non-operational and merely identifies the display as the home screen display. If a user touches “My Account” 17, the screen display shown in FIG. 2 disappears, and a new display screen appears which provides directions for opening a new account. If the user already has an account, a screen display appears which provides account data. If a user touches the button “?” 18, the screen display shown in FIG. 2 disappears and a new screen display appears which includes a blank entry box and a computer touch keyboard so the user can use the keyboard to input questions. If the user touches the button “Favorite Numbers” 19, a new screen display appears in which the user's favorite numbers appear, or, which include a touch keyboard comprised of number keys so the user can enter his favorite numbers. If the user touches the button “Info” 20, a screen display appears which provides information on how to play the lottery game selected by the user, or which provides other desired information.

When a user touches the display screen at button 11, a drop down list of the fifty states appears. The user touches (i.e., selects) the desired state, which in this example is Arizona and appears in FIG. 2. When a user touches the display screen at button 12, a drop down list of possible lottery games in the selected state appears. The user touches the desired game, which in this example is POWER BALL and appears in FIG. 2. When a user touches the display screen at button 13, the current draw and date appears for the game selected by the user, which in this example is $94MILLION 5-21-2011 and appears in FIG. 2. Accordingly, in FIG. 2, the user has touched button 11, 12, 13; made the necessary selections; and, the new buttons 22 “ARIZONA”, 23 “POWER BALL”, and 24 “$94 MILLION 5-21-201” have appeared based on the selections made by the user.

If, in FIG. 2, the user touches the display screen at button 15, the screen display in FIG. 2 disappears and a new screen display appears which provides data on past completed lottery games. Such data can, by way of example, comprise the amounts won in a particular game, the winning numbers in a particular game, the winning numbers compiled for all prior games, etc. However, instead of touching the display screen at button 15, the user touches “GET TICKET” button 14. This causes the screen display of FIG. 2 to disappear and the screen display of FIG. 3 to appear.

The screen display of FIG. 3 commands the user to select 25 six numbers:

POWERBALL: PICK 6 NUMBERS

If the user elects to use the number grid 26 of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 . . . 41, 42 to pick five numbers, the user simply touches the six numbers he selects.

Alternately, if the user elects to type in the six numbers he selects, he touches the “OR: TYPE NUMBERS HERE” button 27, in which case a drop down menu with a keyboard with numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, . . . 8, 9 and a space bar appears and he uses the keyboard and space bar to type in his six numbers. The user selects numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 31, 42 and touch the “GET TICKET” button 28. If the user wishes to purchase more than one lottery ticket, he instead touches the “ADD TO CART” button 29, in which case his first lottery ticket with numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 31, and 42 is added to his shopping cart and the lottery application causes the screen display of FIG. 3 to appear so the user can select another ticket.

Instead, however, of touching the “ADD TO CART” 29 button, the user touches the “GET TICKET” button 27. This causes the screen display of FIG. 3 to disappear and the screen display of FIG. 4 to appear. The screen display of FIG. 4 includes non-operational “POWERBALL” button 30. Button 30 is non-operational because if the user touches button 30, nothing happens. The screen display of FIG. 4 would, if button 30 were touched, remain the same. The “YOU'VE SELECTED” button 31 is also a non-operational button.

If the user touches the “REDO” button 33 in the screen display of FIG. 4, the application 40 causes the screen display of FIG. 4 to disappear and the screen display of FIG. 3 to reappear so that the user can select a new set consisting of six lottery numbers. Instead of touching the “REDO” button 33, however, the user touches the “CONFIRM” button 32. The screen display of FIG. 4 disappears and the screen display of FIG. 5 appears.

The screen display of FIG. 5 includes non-operational “CONGRATULATIONS!” button 34. If the user touches the “BUY ANOTHER TICKET” button 35, the screen display of FIG. 5 disappears and is replaced by the screen display of FIG. 3 so that the user can pick six new numbers for a second lottery ticket. If the user presses the “READY TO TICKET SCAN” button, the program 40 is ready to have the ticket information (including the six numbers selected by the user), scanned by a separate supplemental electronic scanner 42 (FIG. 6) that is spaced apart from or connected to, as desired, the phone 10. RFID scanners and various electronic scanning equipment is known in the art, along with the electronic or other configurations that must be incorporated in phone 10 to permit successful scanning of ticket information by the supplemental electronic device.

If the user touches the “PRINT TICKET/BAR CODE” button 36, program 40 sends (via wi/fi or hard wire) to printer 41 the information necessary for printer 41 to print a ticket.

If the user touches the “EXIT APP” button 38, program 40 terminates and returns the user to a selected display on phone 10. If the user touches the “HOME” button 39, program 40 returns to the home page screen display illustrated in FIG. 1.

In one embodiment of the invention, each screen display includes a “HOME” button which when touched returns the user to the home page of FIG. 1, and also includes a “BACK” button which when touched returns the user to the previous screen display. The home page also includes an “EXIT APP” button to facilitate the user's exiting program 40.

FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate one method for purchasing a lottery ticket in accordance with the invention. In FIGS. 8 to 10, users are referred to as customers. The first step 70 comprises developing a mobile phone lottery game application 40 which can be downloaded to an iPhone and/or other designated mobile phone which has the capability of communicating via the Internet. The mobile phone application 40 is offered for sale at an Internet accessible store in the same manner that iTunes applications are offered for sale. The application has the capabilities necessary to communicate with a 3^(rd) party interface and play a state operated lottery system.

In step 71, a user purchases the mobile phone lottery game application 40 from an Internet store. In step 72, the user obtains a mobile phone 10 and downloads over the Internet the lottery game application 40 in the mobile phone 10.

In step 72, a 3^(rd) party lottery game interface 45 is developed to operate between mobile phone 10 and a state lottery controller 50 (FIG. 6). The interface 45 establishes accounts for users; gathers and memorializes identification information for users; acquires user credit card information; communicates with user mobile phones, and the governmental lottery controller; authenticates user credit card information; accepts lottery ticket orders from a consumer mobile phone; memorializes ticket data including ticket number or number “picks”; charges user credit card accounts; electronically deposits a portion of ticket sales in 3^(rd) party bank account; electronically deposits a portion of ticket sales in bank account of governmental lottery; transmits ticket data to governmental lottery controller; transmits to a user mobile phone bar code or other data for printing or scanning a ticket or other document including the ticket number or number “picks”; provides the size of draw for selected lottery games in selected states; provides historical data concerning lottery games including amounts of money won and frequency of specific winning numbers; e-mails purchase details to users; automatically notifies consumers who win; automatically periodically purchases tickets for user, if so desired; and, if desired, randomly generates numbers for user purchasing lottery ticket.

In FIG. 9, step 74 comprises using the mobile phone to transmit to the 3^(rd) party controller user identification information, credit card information, and a request to open an account.

Step 75 comprises receiving, on the mobile phone 10, a confirmation that an account has been opened by the 3^(rd) party controller.

Step 76 comprises transmitting, using the mobile phone 10, a request to the 3^(rd) party controller to purchase a lottery ticket.

Step 77 comprises billing, with the 3^(rd) party controller, the user's credit card account. The user can also be billed via Paypal™, via Google Checkout™, via a gift card offered by the 3^(rd) party controller 45, or by using any other desired procedure or system.

Step 78 comprises receiving, on the mobile phone 10, a confirmation from the 3^(rd) party controller that purchase of a lottery ticket has been completed.

Step 79 comprises transmitting, with the 3 ^(rd) party controller 45, to the governmental lottery controller 50 the details of the lottery ticket purchase, including the lottery numbers selected by the person buying the lottery ticket. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, in lieu of step 79 in step 77 once the third party controller confirms that the user can pay for the lottery ticket(s) via credit card or Paypal, etc., then the third party controller 45 sends the ticket information (including the numbers selected) to the state lottery controller 50. The state lottery controller 50 confirms, to the third party controller 45, receipt of the ticket information sent by controller 45. After the third party controller 45 receives confirmation from controller 50 that controller 50 received the ticket information, controller 45 completes billing the user's credit card. Prior a state's picking winning numbers in a particular game, the state lottery controller 50 must receive from controller 45, by a selected deadline which occurs prior to the state's picking winning numbers, the ticket information for each ticket purchased for the game. “Late” tickets purchased after the selected deadline are not eligible to participate in the game for which the state picks winning numbers. The state may, however, permit such late tickets purchased after the selected deadline to be used in connection with the next succeeding lottery game, provided such late tickets are purchased prior to the deadline for playing in the next succeeding lottery game.

In FIG. 10, step 80 comprises electronically depositing, with the 3^(rd) party controller, in a governmental lottery bank account a portion of the purchase price of the lottery ticket.

Step 81 comprises electronically depositing, with the 3^(rd) party controller, in a 3^(rd) party controller bank account a portion of the purchase price of the lottery ticket. If desired, steps 80 and 81 are accomplished when the 3^(rd) party controller deposits purchase money in an escrow account which automatically sends portions of the money to the 3 ^(rd) party controller bank account and to the governmental lottery bank account.

Step 82 comprises transmitting, with the governmental lottery controller, to the 3^(rd) party controller, the winning lottery ticket(s) data.

Step 83 comprises transmitting to the mobile phone 10 from the 3^(rd) party controller 45 the winning lottery ticket(s) information.

Having set forth our invention in terms to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the invention and having set forth the presently preferred embodiments and uses thereof, I Claim: 

1. A method comprising the steps of (a) providing a 3^(rd) party controller capable of (i) communicating over the Internet, (ii) communicating over the Internet with at least one government controller utilized in the operation of a lottery game, (iii) selling and confirming the sale of lottery tickets for at least one governmental lottery game, (iv) billing credit card accounts, (v) electronically depositing in bank accounts monies received by billing credit card accounts, (vi) outputting information to print lottery tickets, (vii) outputting available governmental lottery games, and (viii) outputting historical data of past completed lottery games, the historical data comprising one or both of amounts of money won and frequency of specific winning numbers; (b) providing a hand-held mobile computer capable of communicating over the Internet; (c) creating for said hand-held mobile computer a special lottery computer program capable of communicating over the Internet with said 3 ^(rd) party controller; (d) placing said special lottery computer program in an Internet accessible store; (e) downloading over the Internet said special lottery computer program onto said hand-held mobile computer; (f) viewing, using said hand-held mobile computer and said special lottery computer program, special listing information from said 3^(rd) party controller setting forth available governmental lottery games and comprising the historical data; (g) selecting, using said hand-held mobile computer, one of said available governmental lottery games; (h) transmitting, using said hand-held mobile computer, to said 3^(rd) party controller a request to purchase a lottery ticket in said selected one of said available governmental lottery games; (i) receiving from said 3^(rd) party controller a confirmation of the purchase of said lottery ticket; (j) billing a credit card account to receive the amount of a purchase price for said lottery ticket; (k) electronically depositing, using said third party controller, a first portion of said purchase price in a 3^(rd) party controller bank account; (l) electronically depositing, using said third party controller, a second portion of said purchase price in a government lottery bank account; (m) receiving from said 3^(rd) party controller ticket data to print said ticket; (n) printing said ticket; and, (o) outputting, with said 3^(rd) party controller, to said government controller information corresponding to said lottery ticket.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said mobile hand-held computers each comprise an iPhone.
 3. A method comprising the steps of (a) providing a 3^(rd) party controller capable of (i) communicating over the Internet with at least one government controller utilized in the operation of one or more lottery games, (ii) selling and confirming the sale of lottery tickets for an available lottery game, (vii) outputting available governmental lottery games, and (viii) outputting historical data of past completed lottery games, the historical data comprising one or both of amounts of money won and frequency of specific winning numbers; (b) providing a hand-held mobile computer capable of communicating over the Internet; (c) downloading from an internet-accessible store a special lottery computer program onto said hand-held mobile computer; (d) viewing, using said hand-held mobile computer and said special lottery computer program, special listing information from said 3^(rd) party controller setting forth available governmental lottery games and comprising the historical data; (e) selecting, using said hand-held mobile computer, one of said available government lottery games; (f) transmitting, using said hand-held mobile computer, to said 3^(rd) party controller a request to purchase a lottery ticket in said selected one of said available governmental lottery games; and (g) receiving from said 3^(rd) party controller a confirmation of the purchase of said lottery ticket. 